THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1219 them. All your energies should be directed to the preserving of a good understanding with them, while those little bickering and commotions around you should pass unregarded nnd occupy but little of your time- Your greatest misfortune Austin, has been the want of a proper knowledge of hnman nature- It has been the cause of many difficulties, that you have encountered in the last two years-- But you have in that short time, I doubt not, learnt more than in all your former life-· This may be too great a freedom in me, but in this you read the evidence of friendship, and the only kind of friendship that can be relied on. I have just learnt that my brother has reached Nacogdoches with his family, and that he will establish his office nt that place. I have not yet recd a line from him, and am of course in possession of no particulars respecting him and his movements. I hope to set out on my journey in two or three days, and shall consequently se3 him on my way in to the U S.- I shall disclose to him, as I have done to you, my undigested and limited views respecting this country, and shall urge him to commence a correspondence with you as soon as I see him- I am much impressed with the importance of a friendly under- standing and a free and open communication between all the con- tractors of these grants, and as it respects my brother I feel no hesi- tation in saying that it will both comport with his feelings and policy. In looking over the C-- law, I find you have overlooked an essen- tial part of its provisions. I discover that each family, who moves into those grants at their own ea:penoe are entitled to two Labors instead of one, which being proclaimed might make in favor of the settle- ment of the country. The law seems to contemplate that the con- tractors will in the main bring in the families at their expence, being ignorant of the American character altogether. You wish to know my ideas upon the subject of the ,Vaco war. I feel some delicacy in giving an opinion, as I may not Jmow enough about the situation and policy of the country to give a correct opin- ion-But since you have desired my views upon the subject, I must remark, that I am of the opinion I have always been; and which per- haps I ventured to express to you when I was down; and that is" that it should be the Inst and only alternative "-some of my reasons I think I then gave you. I have no room to say more upon the sub- ject. I shall in a day or two perhaps start on my journey home, and should I determine to return to this country, (which is very likely) we will I hope often have an opportunity of communicating our views to each other. Until then a. dieu- B. w. EDWARDS Col. S. F. Austin.
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